New Beer Sunday (week 590)

Good afternoon NBS'rs. Someone told me that since I did my first NBS last week, it's kind of an unofficial rule that I have to keep participating...or something along those lines. I'll bite. Well, it started to become summer here in sunny southern California, but the sun took a break these last two days, bu that didn't stop the influx of fresh IPA's. I give you:

Smog Town Brewing, Torrance CA.
Grape Ape IPA 7.3% ABV, brewed with grape must.



A: Slightly cloudy pale yellow with a decent white fine bubbly head
A: Juicy tropical hops, with a sweet grainy breadiness
T: Again, juicy and less grapefruity than I was expecting, but can sense the must in the aftertaste. Very nice sweetness to back the mild bitterness
F: Crisp, refreshing, balanced, and just the right amount of carbonation
O: Very enjoyable, especially if it were a little warmer here right now

One of the better I have had from Smog City. They have been hit or miss for me, but quite the rage in some circles around here. Cheers!

(A special shout out to the victims and their families of the horrible event in Florida this morning. As a fellow American, and human, my sincerest condolences.)

 

Next up, another Pilsner. This one, Puma Pilsner from Rhinegeist.



Pale yellow with just a hint of haze. Somewhat restrained fizzy white head leaves behind a slight bit of lacing.

Nose is a little soapy right away with a corn following.

Taste has equal parts cracker and pepper (taste, not heat) at first, followed by a little cream corn.

No alcohol detected, fairly crisp and overall pretty dry. Not too bad I guess

 

Bought this one a few months ago at Jester King. I wanted to wait until the fall to open it, but my curiosity won out ... again



I'd say he's had a few:

5 Stones Barrel Reserve Sleepy Hollow
a pumpkin ale aged in rum barrels

It pours out just like a good dubbel, big foam and brilliant clear copper ... it looks light but packed full of something. The first aromas are super malty, like donuts and cinnamon rolls, lots of bread and lots of something sweet. As you dig in, you get a range of notes that can be as earthy as raw pumpkin, almost dirt bitter, all the way to a molasses/brown sugar-infused piece of pumpkin pie with a very toasted pie crust.

The rum barrel is unquestionably present -- even the smell has some spirit heat. The alcohol flavor is relatively neutral, tasting more like vodka than rum. Mixed with the earthy pumpkin flavor, the combined flavors do take on that standard dirt/medicinal note I associate with pumpkin ales. But between the rum barrels and whatever spices are thrown in, there's also bits and pieces of sweeter flavors, including nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and sugary pumpkin pie.

The review:
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/32171/197620/?ba=Premo88#review
4.12 (0% rDev -- just four ratings so far, so I'm setting the pace right now)

A well put together brew. I should've waited until the fall to open it, I think. The vodka heat suggests another 6-12 months wouldn't have hurt it one bit. But I'm not complaining, and it's got me interested in trying some more stuff from 5 Stones.

You boys' and girls' yard and plant shots always make me smile. And I'm glad I took care of this two this winter ... totally worth the bit of trouble:


Cheers!

 

Good afternoon NBS, hope all is well. Started my Sunday with a new Kölsch, Manor Hill Katherine's Kölsch. Haven't had a lot of Kölsch's but it is a style I'm really starting to love them, cheers!
4.09/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz can, dated 5-17-16, poured into pint glass

A- A super hazy bright yellow with a three finger white head.

S- Some sweet bread, some wheat, a hint of grape/lemon tartness, nice earthy spice.

T- Pilsner malts, some wheat, touch of sweet bread, some light fruits, nice earthy spice.

M- Light body, crisp, smooth.

O- A nice and tasty beer for 4.6% ABV, great summer beer!

★ 377 characters

 

Still haven't seen cans around me. Sounds good, might have to drive down and pick up some cans soon!

 

I hope you all are having a nice Sunday. It seems like everybody's already getting into some delicious-looking beer. I am hoping that my choice today is good looking, smelling and tasting; but we'll see. You never can tell.

I just got back from a trip to Mexico and it seems like I brought cool weather back with me. It is cold, drizzly and windy. I might break out a stout later on, but for doing laundry and watching soccer something lighter should do me just fine. I am not a huge fan of the label, but I usually ask myself what Bo Diddley would say about judging a beer by its cover. Either way, it is a good chance to see an elf hugging a cosmic mermaid (the two brewers' logos).




This is a Belgian IPA that was recommended to me during my trip. It is a collaboration between Coronado Brewing Company and Andrómeda. I am a fan of certain Belgian IPAs. They seem to be kind of divisive but I would even go so far as to say that some of them are great.



Beautiful in the glass.


This is a doughy and floral beer if there ever was one. It is pretty dry from the hops side of things with a real pungent balance between tart and harsh yeast characteristics rounding out the rest of it. It is a nice beer. On one hand it could use a little oomph in the hops and general flavor department. On the other hand the booze/rubber taste/feel from the yeast and alcohol could be dialed back a bit (though it is far from overwhelming).



I am glad I tried this one. Not the best Belgian IPA I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. Plus, I am beyond thrilled at the variety of interesting beers coming out of mi México lindo y querido in the past few years.

Have a lovely rest of your beer-basted Sunday, everyone!

¡Salud!

My review if you're curious.

 

Color is obviously amazing! And the taste has very good raspberry flavor. The only issue I have is the carbonation. Its just a bit too much for my liking.

 

New Beer Beer Sunday

Greetings NBSer's,
Mixed temps around here lately but consistently receiving some rain, which, I suppose it what is suppose to happen in June in these parts. So far a decent growing season.
Thanks to @cavedave for a fabulous start to the 590th episode of NBS.
With classic summer weather I'm in the mood for a Am Pale Lager. Fortunately @ONovoMexicano sent me one recently. Isn't that great timing? How did he know?
For those around in the 70's my beer today reminded me of this.

But instead I have this

and some nice lacing, which I don't expect for this style.

Any, here is the official review.
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24659/83324/?ba=garymuchow#review
Best to all.

 

Hi everyone! It's been a gorgeous weekend in New Jersey. The last two days at the shore were just beautiful. It's really hot down there today, even on a barrier island. I just arrived home to a nice warm but breezy afternoon. But it's never too warm for a good Imperial Stout and Evil Twin's Liquid Double Fudge fits the bill. In my opinion, if it had a little more viscosity, then it would be right up there with the top tier of the style. Here's my review:

4.33/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into stout glass. It pours jet black with a huge,foamy, beige head and lacing that lasted through the pour. It's a beautiful looking stout. It smells of roasted malt, dark chocolate, vanilla, and anise. They don't call it fudge for nothing; it has a rich chocolate taste with hints of licorice, coffee, caramel, and dark fruit. It's also quite boozy; you can really taste the 12% ABV. It's definitely a sipper. About my only constructive criticism is that for an Imperial Stout it is rather thin. A little more viscosity and this one would be among the first tier of Imperial Stouts. At $6.99 for a bomber, this is one of the best deals out there.

I'm digging in to your reviews now. One of my favorite diversions each week!

 

Second beer on the Hilton patio off the Sioux Falls bike trail on a hot day, Take 16 Hay Loft, 5.7% ABV, 15 IBU, Style is Hefeweizen. Poured thin and golden with a little white head. Served in a frosted glass (yes, I know), which was excellent given how hot it is. Nose is yeast freshness, taste is yeast but not quite bread dough, and slight bananas. Very refreshing. Mouthfeel is good, overall an excellent Hefeweizen, though not up to Weihenstephaner standard.

 

On to the next, thanks to @woodychandler

Apiarius | ShawneeCraft Brewing Company


Shawnee Craft Brewing - Apiarius by imbibehour, on Flickr

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Poured from the can into a nonic pint glass.

Dark golden amber body color, light chestnut brown, but with a good dark dull brassy gold color. Head is a fluffy off white, a bit in the styrofoam retention appearance, but hangs on nicely for a pale ale. Settles to a nice simple thin puck and collar.

Very interesting aroma, soft honey qualities mixing with dry toasty brown bread. Honey aspect also brings out some real nice floral like tones, and a bit of sweet garden earth flavors. Surprisingly herbal as well and unexpected but in a pleasant complimenting way.

Palate basically takes it down to bare basics. Muted caramel and a slight bit of buttered toast like flavors in the mid palate. Dry and muted arid grains with a little bit of honey sweetness finish off the beer on the swallow. Mouthfeel sticks to the basics, but the specialty of honey to this is not really providing much else on the palate. Slight simple hop flavor that's neither intriguing or distracting.

Starts off as something a little bit unique but in the end comes out just a bit ordinary but drinkable.

look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5 | BA Generated Score: 3.7

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4 Disappointing new beers in a month of Sundays. (I'm usually positive and above average in my ratings - but here are 4 that missed to steer clear?)

Deep Ellum IPA
3.81/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nice texan IPA.
A-Dark amber body with a white head and ok dotty lacing.
S-Best part - malt, citrus, tropical fruit, caramel, and dominated by hempy, grassy finish.
T-Follows smell with grapefruit, orange, caramel malt, pine, and dominant with hemp and grass, culminating in bright bitter finish.
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp. Good food beer.
O- Solid IPA, pleasant bitter hop flavor, easy drinking. mid-pack.
Aunt Sally | Lagunitas
3.53/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Aunt Sally ended up a spinster because this is "one and done" as A bros wrote.
A. - Clear with rising visible through a pale golden body, a bit of lace ring and foam ring.
S - far too faint. catty first, then citrus, sour yeast, dough.
T - Best part, less catty, cidery, aspirin, white saltines. Lots of sour and lacking in fruit.
F - Powder, sassy, thin, aspiriny finish. Lean and clean, but a good aperitif at best.Might be good with fruit to cut the sweetness.
An "interesting" brew that everyone should try once.

Casper White Stout | James Page
3.19/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
White Stout w Natural Flavors (white) trend in direction of vanilla.
A: Pours a slightly hazed medium golden body with active, abundant visible carbonation with pilsner highlights. The beer has a half inch foamy white head that reduces rapidly to mottled film and a thin ring with dotty lacing. Unstout like!
S: Moderate bouquet of flower shop, white chocolate, and mostly vanilla. Not much else. Smell is best part.
T: It's following the smell with sweets and flower shop blare, on sweet grainy, almost corn grain and light malts. Again not stout like. Dominantly vanilla and almost astringent and mouth wash like - almost artificial. Not again.
M: Astringent, cidery, lighter than medium bodied with abundant amounts of carbonation. But not cleansing.
O: an artificial concept without a reason d'etre - cannot get past the artificial-feeling flavors and aromas. Pass this one. Try 0.

Narragansett Lager
3.05/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Hard to figure out A bros rated this 4th best adjunct lager... They're all swill.
A - Best part, because it laces. Clear pils gold. Not much retention.
S - Not much. Meager. Gets wif of lemonada in a corn field, with some buttered popcorn.
T- Follows the smell with more hops prickles and lemon.
F- As thin and as cottony as any other. Adjuncts' corn coats my mouth so not light and refreshing.
3.0 (Average) is my base line for American Lager and this is a great 3. But no better.

 

Greetings, fellow NBSers, and thanks to @cavedave for getting us off to a great start,

Today it’s a clear 67 degree day, slightly cool for this time of year near the heart of Spokanistan. Spring around here tends to bring all kinds of weather, with this one no exception. The mid 90s heat of last weekend is now a thing of the past, with things cooling off starting Tuesday, and Friday featuring rain and blustery winds. Earlier in the week, I participated in a “triennial” emergency drill at my workplace (the main local airport) has to put on to keep their emergency certification, pretending to be a survivor of a plane crash on the runway.



We were all given tags denoting our condition. I was uninjured, but my friend and co-worker Michael was tagged as “unconscious with a serious head wound” and was given a mask with that injury (said mask was missing eye and breathing holes, which is why he’s wearing it shoved halfway up his face – the sunglasses were his own, unique touch to things). He was eventually loaded onto a stretcher and whisked away in an ambulance. Afterwards, we all were allowed to keep the T-shirts they’d given us (which presumably served the function of being a kind of uniform to ensure nobody had wandered out with the city fire trucks that shouldn’t have had access to the airfield perimeter) and a tremendous amount of pizza.

I haven’t had much in the way of new beer this week. Yesterday, I did stop by the Orlison Taproom and have a couple beers after an unsuccessful attempt to hit the new Steel Barrel Taproom (a brewery “incubator” that houses Little Spokane Brewing Co. and Young Buck Brewing Co. sharing a drinking space along with a number of guest taps plus a restaurant – Zona Blanca – that specializes in ceviche), but was told they were only open for friends and family, with the soft opening occurring today. I had planned to go back today, but have since decided to hang onto what funds I have before my next payday so that I can enjoy libations when I go see Helm’s Alee on Thursday. Orlison had a whiskey barrel-aged version of their coffee vanilla stout, a cream ale brewed with oranges and a lactic yeast strain called (and strongly resembling a) Creamsicale, and a beer based on Yerba Mate tea, all of which were in varying degrees interesting and tasty.

Today I’m begging the NBS court’s indulgence and starting off with a beer I’ve already had several cans of, but just got around to reviewing today, an IPA brewed across the water from Tacoma in Gig Harbor, WA, called Rude Parrot. The pic is from an earlier WBAYDN post:


http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/20658/58129/?ba=woemad#review

An average, slightly one-dimensional PNW IPA that I’d have in a bar for a decent price but probably wouldn’t buy another sixer of.

Back later with a RIS, and finishing off with a beer that I’m really looking forward to from @Ri0 that represents the last of NBS BIF #3, but I expect will be awesome. I'll be lifting each glass to the victims of the senseless act in Orlando and their friends and families.

 

Good afternoon to all the NBS followers. It's has really run the gamut of weather here in central NH to. It was warm and fairly humid when I went out for my morning bike ride about 6:00 am and after taking a little trip to Portsmouth and stopping for lunch on the way back it has become blustery and the temperature has fallen to 57* and we have even had a few light showers here. I made a couple of stops to pick up a few beers on my trip but didn't have a lot of time to stop and enjoy it at the breweries as I had loaded my smoker with a pork butt and some turkey thighs before we left.
So my new beer for today comes from my stop at Deciduous Brewing and is there Farmhouse Ale Sylph.

This beer pours a hazy golden yellow color into my Deciduous glass. A thick white foamy head on top that disappears quickly.
The nose is tart and has that great funk a beer like this should have. The nose is very earthy from the yeast with not much else coming through.
The taste is crisp, not overly tart with a nice smooth finish. This will be a great beer to sit and sip on a hot summer afternoon.
The mouth feel has nice carbonation and no lingering aftertaste.
I think this is another good beer from Deciduous and I hope he continues with this great style of beer. There is a Mosaic dry hopped Sylph that takes this beer to another level IMO. The base beer is good but the dry hopped version is great.

 

It's a great can, though!

 

Is Von Trapp distributing in Jersey now?

 

Since my Cavaliers will not be repeating as CWS champs (they didn't even make it to the Super Regionals ) - I am rooting for one of their vanquishers, although it's not looking good for them, either. So, I decided to check out what it's like outside. With some forewarning from the internet, I decided a lighter, possibly refreshing beer might be a good option to take with me.


Stillwater [/ Westbrook] Gose Gone Wild
I'll start by saying this beer grew on me. I really do like the Gose style for my go to summer beer. I learned a tad about it while drinking it, and that information helped me a tad in my review. Essentially this is supposed to be Westbrook's Gose (a highly regarding beer of the style, but one that is quite powerful in its flavors), hopping it up and adding Brett yeast (the "wild" part, I am sure). The bottle I have doesn't really mention Westbrook, and is brewed via contract by a company in Denver.

Pours a lovely light yellow - almost white like you might expect from a Belgain Wit. The head is definitely white, even against the pale-colored body. It is thick and foamy and quite sticky given the lacing.

Nose reminds me a bit of a lemon soap, initially. Further inspection indicated a little bit clearer note of lemon, as well as a little bit of earthy spice from the coriander. Maybe just a hint of funk, as well - my first impression from the funkiness. I must say I didn't get a big dose of extra hops. Also, that soapy note never quite goes away completely.

Taste starts off salty, right up front. The lemony note hits next, though it doesn't erase the salinity. The chord is complete as a little earthy spice hits (and brings a bit of that soapiness). Lastly there is a bit of funk that seems to come as the notes combine. No flavors seems to fade, they seem to just get layered upon creating a new experience with each addition. Something seems to build upon my tongue, leaving a rubbery feel. Other than that, the beer is light and refreshing in feel.

A nice beer - and I can almost see the similarities to my recollection of Westbrook's Gose. That lemon seems like it would be almost like sucking said citrus, were it not for the rest of the beer getting in the way. The Brett comes through, and as I learned from a recent article, perhaps the salinity kills the extra hops. Then again, that combination could be what is causing that feel of a film that seems to build on my palate.

 

I've put away my Pilsner habit in favor of my IPA addiction.

My current fix is North High IPA.



Looks pretty tasty. Murky caramel coloured, modest beige head and a bit of sneaky lacing.

Nose has this sweet thing happening followed by earthiness, Pilsner like bitterness and finally a bitter finish more IPA like, as grapefruit and grassiness make an appearance.

The earthy quality drives the taste just before a Pilsner crossed with olive taste picks it up. Last thing offering it's plea to be tasted is a faint hint of pear.

Fairly thin, kinda dry and no discernible aftertaste.

Not bad, but could easily get overlooked amongst about 8,000 other IPAs.

 

New Imperial Milk Stout

School's out, and I'm back! I've really missed NBS during an overly busy spring.

Skies are blue and the temps are flirting with 80 in West MI. After a late wake up, yard work, and youth sports (flag football and all star tryouts for Little League), it's time to relax with a new brew. We're hosting my mom for a couple of days, and she's down with cocktail hour. I'm trading in the gin and tonics and margaritas for a glass of the dark stuff.

This one was at the back of the fridge, but seemed to be primed for a little age on the bottle.

Here's to a summer of more consistent NBS participation.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22564/213190/?ba=GRPunk#review

 

Been a while since I was in T-town and able to stop by, but I had no idea E9 was now bottling!